HURIWA reacts to rising attacks on NDLEA operatives, seeks special hazard fund

The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA), on Wednesday expressed deep concerns over what it described as the escalating violent attacks on operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), warning that Nigeria’s anti-drug campaign is becoming increasingly dangerous for frontline officers.

The group’s concern was in reaction to the recent mob attack on NDLEA personnel during an anti-narcotics operation in the Dawaki area of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, which reportedly left two officers critically injured.

In a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Emmanuel Onwubiko, HURIWA described the incident as a disturbing sign of the growing boldness of drug syndicates and criminal gangs operating across the country.

The injured officers were identified as Ayegh Dooyun Zachariah and Shehu Jamil Ibrahim, who are currently receiving treatment at the National Hospital, Abuja, following the attack during an enforcement operation targeting a notorious drug enclave.

HURIWA said attacks on NDLEA operatives should no longer be treated as isolated criminal incidents but as direct threats to national security and public safety.

“The frightening escalation of violent attacks against NDLEA operatives by criminal drug syndicates and their collaborators is a dangerous signal that the anti-drug war is becoming increasingly deadly,” the group stated.

The rights organisation warned that drug trafficking and substance abuse remain major drivers of insecurity, linking narcotics activities to terrorism, kidnapping, armed robbery, cultism, and gang violence across Nigeria.

HURIWA, however, commended the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, Mohamed Buba Marwa, for personally visiting the injured officers and assuring them of medical support and institutional backing.

“The visit by General Marwa to the wounded officers is highly symbolic and deeply commendable.

“It demonstrates responsible leadership and sends a morale-boosting signal to personnel risking their lives daily to save Nigeria from the catastrophic consequences of narcotics abuse and trafficking,” the statement added.

The group also praised the NDLEA management for providing medical assistance, commendation letters, and welfare packages to the affected officers.

Calling for urgent intervention, HURIWA urged President Bola Tinubu and the Federal Government to establish a Special NDLEA Hazard Trust Fund to support officers injured or killed during anti-narcotics operations.

According to the rights group, NDLEA personnel operate under conditions comparable to combat environments and therefore deserve stronger welfare protection and compensation mechanisms.

HURIWA proposed that families of officers killed in active service should receive immediate compensation, while injured officers should have access to lifetime medical care, rehabilitation, and insurance coverage funded through the proposed trust fund.

The association also called on the National Assembly to initiate legislation compelling major corporate organisations to contribute four per cent of their annual income after tax to the proposed fund.

“Corporate Nigeria must recognise that the anti-drug war is also a battle for economic stability, workforce productivity, social peace and national development.

“The burden of sustaining this strategic war should not rest solely on the shoulders of the government,” the statement said.

HURIWA further urged security agencies to intensify intelligence-driven operations against drug cartels and ensure the arrest and prosecution of those behind attacks on NDLEA operatives.

The group also appealed to Nigerians not to shield drug traffickers and criminal gangs within their communities, warning that failure to confront narcotics networks could worsen violence and insecurity nationwide.

It reaffirmed its solidarity with officers and men of the NDLEA, urging the Federal Government to treat the anti-narcotics campaign as a critical national security priority deserving emergency institutional support and sustainable funding.